Marin Catholic running back Matteo Perez plows in for one of his three touchdown runs against El Cerrito on Saturday, Aug. 24 in Kentfield. Perez ran for 190 yards as the Wildcats won their season opener, 42-6. (Photo by Bill Schneider)

Marin Catholic safety Gaven Cooke pulls down El Cerrito running back Antonio Hines for a loss on Saturday, Aug. 14 in Kentfield. Marin Catholic rolled to a 42-6 win in its season opener. (Photo by Bill Schneider)

Marin Catholic running back Matteo Perez had a big day in a 42-6 home win against El Cerrito on Saturday, Aug. 24 in Kentfield. Perez ran for 190 yards and three touchdowns against the Gauchos. (Photo by Bill Schneider)

Marin Catholic defensive end Gio Ghilotti tackles El Cerrito running back Antonio Hines on Saturday in Kentfield. The Wildcats opened their season with a 42-6 win against the Gauchos. (Photo by Bill Schneider)

For a team with section- and potentially state-title aspirations this season, it was crucial for the Marin Catholic football team to lay a strong foundation in its opening game this year.

Sophomore quarterback Michael Ingrassia threw for 191 yards and three touchdowns while junior running back Matteo Perez had 207 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns as MC began its 2019 journey with a 42-6 rout against El Cerrito at home on Saturday.

“I was really proud of (Ingrassia),” MC coach Mazi Moayed said. “He threw some big strikes, had some explosive plays and was able to move the ball with his feet as well. He did an excellent job all around today.”

MC (1-0) wasted no time seizing control of the game. Ingrassia hit Geordie Aarsheim for 59 yards on the first play and Perez was in the end zone within the first 75 seconds.

Some mistakes on special teams late in the first half and a slew of penalties prevented the Wildcats from making a much bigger statement of intent.

“We didn’t have a ton of mistakes but still too many,” Moayed said. “We have to cut down on the errors, especially the penalties That was the biggest thing. The penalties really hurt us.”

Tough battles ahead

Marin Catholic aced its first test of the season but bigger tests loom in the immediate future.

“We know everyone on our schedule is going to be a great team,” said MC lineman Jamar Sekona, a USC commit. “You can never underestimate an opponent. They are going to come out and going to fight. We’d like to think that we’ve put in the work this summer and we’re coming out executing. I don’t think there’s a team that can stop us except for us.”

MC hosts McClymonds (Oakland) and Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) at home the next two weeks before three consecutive road games against Monterey, Antioch and Pitman (Turlock).

McClymonds and Archbishop Mitty were ranked just outside the top 50 teams in the state by CalHiSports.com coming into the season while MC was slotted in 48th. McClymonds and Antioch picked up wins against MC last season.

Another team the Wildcats will have their eyes on is NCS D-IV foe Cardinal Newman — ranked 45th by CalHiSports. The teams last met in the 2017 NCS D-II title game when quarterback Spencer Petras threw for a school-record 502 yards as MC outslugged the Cardinals, 59-56.

The NCS shuffled its divisions based on school size and competitive equity, meaning no battles with Rancho Cotate or Bishop O’Dowd this year.

“Right now Cardinal Newman is rated top in our division if I’m not mistaken,” Moayed said. “Cardinal Newman and then you have Acalanes who is pretty good. Petaluma is up and coming.”

Playmakers on offense

The Wildcats should be in the section title hunt come playoff time on the strength of an explosive offense and a stout defense.

Offensively, MC sets up the same way it did last season. Although Ingrassia took every snap at quarterback against El Cerrito, the Wildcats will mix in the more experienced Cooke — featuring more as a wideout this year — as needed.

“I initially approached (Moayed) about getting out at slot (receiver), getting out at safety last year,” Cooke said. “He could tell I was itching to get out at slot, get out at receiver. I knew Michael could definitely get it done and he’s definitely mature enough. I’d rather help the team out by playing everywhere than try to just be the guy.”

Cooke will line up all over the field, a move facilitated by Ingrassia’s improved command of the offense in his second season.

“Things have slowed down for (Ingrassia) as far just the reps,” Moayed said. “He’s learned the whole system, he’s gotten more mileage and we’ve been able to expand the playbook with him and he’s absorbed more of that. His confidence has grown. His arm has gotten stronger. He’s gained some size, gotten taller, gained some weight, he’s faster than he was. Across the board, he’s improved tremendously as a young quarterback.”

Perez is the other key member of MC’s attack and is primed to have a big year out of the backfield.

“Perez is about go lights out on some people,” Sekona said. “He’s been putting in great work. He’s looking faster and stronger. This year is going to be a great year for him.”

Dominant defense

Lining up in the center of MC’s defensive line, Sekona is considered one of the top players in the Bay Area and one of the top linemen in the state.

“Jamar is a huge impact guy, not only just playing but he’s a great leader,” Cooke said. “He’s just great to have around. When he’s out there people are going to be scared of what he’s going to do.”

MC’s defense appears stacked at every level this year coming off the heels of last year’s playoffs where the Wildcats allowed just 25 points over four games.

Sekona, Kyle Jakiemiec, Kai Peterson-Davison and Giovanni Ghilotti — who will be a preferred walk-on at Notre Dame next year — anchor the defensive line. Dolan, Jared Lyon and Kekoa Garrido stand out at linebacker while Cooke, Matt Jacobsen and Lauer lurk in the secondary.

“Defensively, we’re going to have a very, very good D-line, a very strong secondary and tough, fast linebackers,” Sekona said.